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Sophomore forward Jacqui Hand struck for a pair of goals and the defense turned in a dominant performance as the Colorado College women's soccer team kicked off its 2019 season with a 2-1 victory over Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi on Friday night at Washburn Field.
 
Hand put the Tigers on the board late in the 18th minute when she collected a pass from junior midfielder Jenna Wilt, stepped around a defender and blasted a low shot off the hands of Islander goalkeeper Kyleigh Hall into the left side of the net. 
 
Nearly five minutes into the second half, Hand completed the first brace of her career when she came off the left sideline and lofted a shot into the upper 90 on the right side.
 
The Tiger defense allowed just three total shots, all of which were on frame.
 
In her collegiate debut, Abby Opperman stopped two shots during the first half. Early in the 10th minute, the first-year keeper got her hands on Celia Hilsabeck's lofted shot from the left side and grabbed the ball off the goal line before it could roll in.
 
With less than five minutes remaining in the first half, junior defender Camille Weaver made a spectacular stop on Ana Recarte-Pacheco's shot from the center of the box, heading the ball out of harm's way after it went over Opperman's hands.
 
The Islanders got on the board on a CC own goal in the 58th minute, but were unable to generate any dangerous scoring opportunities the rest of the way.
 
Colorado College Standouts

• Hand led the Tigers with five shots, three of which were on target.
• Junior midfielder Coley Lyubenko launched a pair of shots, one of which was on frame.
• Weaver, junior defender Tayla Wheeler, and sophomore defender Toni Tsamasfyros played all 90 minutes.
• The Tigers won seven corner kicks, while the Islanders had none.

 
Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Standouts

• Junior goalkeeper Kyleigh Hall finished with six saves.

 
News and Notes

• Colorado College is 2-0-0 all-time against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
• CC is 12-3-1 in home openers under head coach Geoff Bennett.
• The Tigers are 9-1-1 in their last 11 games on Washburn Field and undefeated in their last nine games (8-0-1) at Washburn.

 
Next for the Tigers

• Colorado College plays host to Siena College on Sunday, Aug. 25, at 11 a.m. in the second of five consecutive home games.